St. Joe’s Hammonton rebounded from a brutal loss to West Deptford to win two consecutive games going into the Group 2 non public playoffs. Quarterback Jayden Shertel takes a snap from center Tucker Monico. Photo by Mike Corsey

WILLIAMSTOWN: Going undefeated for an entire season is a feat rarely done. Williamstown, the No. 1 rated team in the Footballstories Top 20 High School Teams for South Jersey has a chance to do that this season.

The Braves are 9-0 after taking on a big challenge and nailin git with a 14-7 win over South Jersey powerhouse program St. Augustine to finish the regular season unblemished.

Williamstown and St. Augustine (6-2), two of the top big school football teams in South Jersey squared off Friday night (7 PM) at Williamstown High School for the West Jersey-American League Championship and bragging rights for being the top team in South Jersey.

Since public and non-public schools have separate state playoff championships. This is it and the Braves met the challenge.

“It’s huge step,” Williamstown head coach Frank Fucetola said during a recent practice. “We’re looking forward to it. It’s a real challenge for our program.”

When the Braves defeated Shawnee (48-14) on October 19, they clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NJ Division South Group 5 playoffs.

The Hermits will square off in the non-public bracket.

Fucetola put the game against the Hermits in perspective. If they had lost to St. Augustine they would still be the No. 1 seed…but they would not be league champs.

“I told the kids, and I didn’t sugarcoat anything, last week against Shawnee, you did what you had to do, you secured the No. 1 slot,” Fucetola said. “That’s over. You haven’t done anything yet. This is for the conference championship this week. Let’s get through this week, then worry about next week. We will have home field advantage for the playoffs regardless.”

You get the idea the Braves didn’t want an asterisk next to anything they do in what is turning out to be a special season.

Fucetola talked about his key players including linebacker/tight end Brandon Perkins, running back/defensive back Wade Inge, quarterback Jonathan Collins, cornerback Damonte Campbell plus hog mollies Sam Ray and Aaron Lewis Jr. and Trevor Brown.

Fucetola talked about how this group has achieved such success. The Braves have beaten every opponent by two scores or more.

“I think it’s a combination of good leadership and experience,” Fucetola said. “The core of our team played as sophomores and got beat up pretty bad. We took our lumps for two years. Guys matured, got better. They were just committed to the offseason program, lifting. They knew we had something good going this year. They knew they had something good going.”

Fucetola said his players are earning this season.

Our schedule is really tough,” he said. “Not only did they pay their dues, but they’re good football players.”

He said his line play will be key.

The Braves utilize a running back by committee led by Collins and Inge. After nine games Williamstown has, as a team, rushed 390 times for 1698 and 20 touchdowns. *

It starts up front,” Fucetola said. “Our line is getting better and better each week. We’re looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
* Stats from www.whsfootballhuddleclub.com

2018 South Jersey Top 20 High School Football Teams as of Novmeber 1, 2018
1. Williamstown (9-0)
2. Haddonfield (8-0)
3. Burlington Township (8-0)
4. Camden (7-1)
5. Highland Regional(7-1)
6. West Deptford (6-2)
7. Delsea (5-3)
8. Rancocas Valley (6-2)
9. Kingsway (5-3)
10. Penns Grove (9-0)
11. Cinnaminson (6-2)
12. St. Joseph, Hammonton (7-2)
13. Eastern (6-2)
14. St. Augustine (6-3)
15. Salem (6-2)
16. Buena (8-0)
17. Gateway Regional (7-0)
18. Pleasantville (6-2)
19. Delran (7-1)
20. Holy Spirit (5-3)
20. (tie) Deptford (6-3)
Under consideration (alphabetically): Clearview (5-2), Collingswood (6-3), Lenape (4-4), Mainland Regional (6-2), Maple Shade (6-2), Millville (5-3), Northern Burlington (6-2),
Paulsboro (6-2), Triton (5-3), Woodbury (6-2), Woodrow Wilson (6-2).